Santa Clara (Cuban Winter League)
(Redirected from Santa Clara Leopards)
Santa Clara only played 11 years in the Cuban Winter League, sixth-most of any team, but they were very successful. They won five pennants (tied for third with Cienfuegos, a team that played 15 more seasons), finished second three times, third twice and fourth once. Their all-time record was 293-223 and their .568 winning percentage was the best in league history among teams to play more than one season. Additionally, the 1923-1924 Santa Clara Leopards are considered to be the greatest team in Cuban Winter League history. That outfit went 36-11 and hit .331. Among the stars were 3B Oliver Marcelle (a league-leading .393 average , 42 R), SS Dobie Moore (.386), OF Alejandro Oms (.381), OF Oscar Charleston (.375 and a league-leading 59 R and 31 SB), OF Pablo Mesa (.328), 1B Heavy Johnson (.345), C Frank Duncan (.336), P Rube Currie (8-2), P Bill Holland (10-2) and P Dave Brown (7-3). The legendary José Méndez was 3-1 while the only major leaguer on the club was light-skinned Pedro Dibut, their worst hurler at 3-3.
Source: Cuban Baseball: A Statistical History by Jorge Figueredo
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